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How to Say ‘To be taking’ in Portuguese

Andar a tomar

ahn-DAR ah too-MAR

[ahn-DAR ah too-MAR]

💬 Usage Tip: andar a + a verb describes something ongoing lately: ando a estudar "I've been studying". Portugal uses a + the base verb, where Brazil says tomando.

Phrase Breakdown

Andar

[ahn-DAR]

to be (doing, ongoing)

'Andar a' + infinitive describes an ongoing activity over a period.

Example

Ando a estudar muito.

I've been studying a lot.

a

[ah]

to

In European Portuguese, this particle is used with an infinitive to show an ongoing action.

Example

Estou a aprender novas estratégias de networking.

I am learning new networking strategies.

tomar

[too-MAR]

to have / to take

Verb often used in expressions like tomar um café, meaning to have a coffee.

Example

Podemos tomar um café na próxima semana.

We can have a coffee next week.

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